Scrapbook Page 0624

              constitution meaning told ,j a. w. duy, esq., speaks to: normal students at assembly i end week's program! expressing the belief that when effect* of war wear off constitution will be viewed again as bulwark human liberty and only guarantees national security, a. w. duy, esq., spoko yesterday at normal assembly on 1 "the constitution," marking close week's program education week. trouble is," said mr. "that we have come to take this government of ours as the air and sunshine —as a matter course. forget that freedom was not peacefully won, but our forefathers bought it with bitter price." in part mr. duy said: "i shall burden you details incidents which led up founding country an independent nation, because i read your american history, those are fresh memory. "it is only necessary say under english ministry lord north, who tool king george third, colonies liaa ueen bitterly oppressed by home government. "the growing discontent and exasperation (if the colonies resulted in meeting of first continental congress philadelphia, on september sth, 1774. delegates to this had no reaj authority. some them were selected by committees, correspondents other patriotic societies, colonies. sat until october, then adjour.ued, recommending send a new con£ress, con£ress, "which convened in i'hlluds^r phia may of 1775. "this congress which continued to . : be the central governing body (colonies until articles confed- • i eratlon were adopted, was a curious ' body. strictly speaking, it had no legal authority. delegates really ambassadors gathered together from independent states. they ;no power legislation. could not levy taxes; only make requests each colony for its ! share joint expenses. sat as single and exercised executive well legislative func- tions. built small navy; | raised armies, issued continental j currency pay them, endeavored collect expenses with redeem this currency. tha colonies paid when felt like it. al\ ways behind their payments always quarreling about respective shares. extremely jealous other, particularly 1 delaware, large ones pennsylvania virginia. kach one vote congress, members present deciding by majority how that should cast. "but this continental congress did one great thing—it declared the colonics free and independent of britain, in most striking documents ever penned by human hand. it contained statements rights that are immortal. "as we look back now to day .lu!y, 1776, realize men who were undertaking build a stable government western hemisphere must have been confronted almost insurmountable difficulties, at its birth strange indeed. "you recall, course, entiro revolutionary "war was managed controlled before there actually any articles confederation between several colonies, had not for guiding hand washington, revolution resulted dismal failure. "the colonies accepted all them until 1781, reading these will show how bitter jealousy each intent upon maintaining independence reluctant surrender powers. fact is about real power gave confederation, make war peace, navy raise armies defense country. new could effective l:uvs or levy any kind of taxes. it did decide the amount money needed, apportioned among | colonies according to population, and requested furn- [ i.sii money. is interesting j know that none aver paid its full quota these appor-1 ttonments, course iiesult i "'as from start new gov-j vnment was inefficient. "bear in mind colonies, at time were separate difijtinct states, each having own government a way very much like several independent states europe. levied import export duties against other, just as we gainst foreign nations, result • , govern- ment failure, about all congress confederation could dowsato adjourn from day to day. i the utter weakness of confederation, proatratioh trade and ' commerce, poverty people, general contempt with which government was held everywhere in world so apparent that leaders, such men as washington, hamilton, franklin, sherman, chase ] ;md morris, concluded if nation endure, it vu necessary bring about a strong federal government, great constitutional convention called, convened philadelphia on 14th may, 17s6—not until ten years after signing declaration independence. "all colonies sent representatives this and, because diversified interests various states, deliberations continued for period four months. "it is interesting note lord bryce, his 'commentaries american government', declared made up greatest body had ever sat single chamber. gladstone has said constitution they then wrote instrument over struck off by human hands at any one time. "in the time allotted me it is impossible to go into various controversies which arose, but first question arose was representation each of states wa*j have in federal congress, and recorded that on this alone convention debated for three weeks. finally franklin, who always got undivided respectful attention convention, addressed convention." after citing necessity divine guidance, mr. franklin moved: "that henceforth prayers, imploring assistance heaven its ble.s«lng our deliberations, be held assembly every morning before we proceed business; one or more clergy city requested officiate service." buy continued: "you can well imagine what a profound impression was made upon the members of constitutional convention by this eloquent plea, and .it is not surprising that within very few days solution question which had so vexed convention, reached, when it decided (that each state should be representied in senate two senators, re- i gardless size state, or its population, house composed elected from according to their respective population. "the second | slavery, north desiring end slave trade abolish slavery generally, tho southern states absolutely refusing. finally importation negro slaves abolished 1808, ownership left settle ' for itself. "thf third [ regulation commerce between various states. having seaports. like boston, philadelphia new york, were reluctant give up j control valuable privilege jthat situation conferred theru, but great majority determined .and commerce, both with foreign (-•ountries states, under national government, determined, "when constitution |udqfl||din final form, laid a. w. btrr, esq a. w. btrr, esq